Financial Advisor Blues: Thursday, January 30th

War is the unfolding of miscalculations. -Barbara Tuchman, historian (1912-1989) 

 Apologies for delay in answering your email! I have a backlog of stuff to catch up with and this retirement lark is extremely hard work. Why do today what you can put off until tomorrow I say!

I would assume you have returned home after your little journey to the Island after allowing your friends to partly demolish their fine house! Looks as though you managed a few good rides while you were there. My poor steed is gathering cobwebs. Haven't been out in ages since we continue to experience quite blustery weather and I find no pleasure in getting wet and battling against the winds! Wimp I hear you say. Probably true!

We had a great couple of days in Branscombe. It's a lovely little village of old thatched cottages nestled in a pretty valley on the Jurassic coast. We were very fortunate with the weather and had a largely dry two days which meant we could get in some nice walks. Climbed up from the valley to the cliffs and walked over to the town of Beer. Another pretty place. Unfortunately, on the way back Gayle took us a different route inland and got completely lost. Ended up walking around several fields before backtracking and finally found the correct path which was very muddy! This was all Gayle's fault you understand since she insisted she knew the route from a quick glance of a rather suspicious looking map. Fortunately we did have Wellington boots on!

Arrived back at the Inn and dashed to the pub for a well deserved beer. The Masons Arms is a lovely old Inn. They have a number of cottages near the Inn which have been converted to extremely comfortable rooms. We ate dinner in the restaurant of the Inn on the first night which was very enjoyable. The second evening we at in the pub beside a roaring fire. Very cosy!
 

We are still waiting to hear when Marnie and Ant are moving into their new house. We have volunteered to help them move so can't go too far afield until we have the dates. Spoke to the two piggies last week. Apparently they are still hoping to run the van a couple of times a week during the summer. At least Krissy is. Obviously Marks new job would not allow him the time to participate in this and so Krissy is hoping to convince Matt (think you may have met him) to help out. As far as I can gather, Krissy's boss agreed that she could reduce her hours during the summer to facilitate running the truck. Let's hope they can get a lot a farmers markets since that's where they do the best business.

Mark said the snow has not been that great on Grouse this year. First year he has had the weekends free to board since Pig on the Street! Fortunately he did not buy a season pass this year!
 

Not sure if I mentioned it but we will probably be over in September for three weeks so if you are around hopefully we can get together at some point. Haven't got the dates sorted yet but I suspect it will be around the 12th.

Have a dentist appointment this afternoon so should think about getting myself organised. Best wishes to Corrine and Chloe. I assume Chloe is as busy as ever!
Derek

Hello Branscombe People!


Thank you for the wonderful snaps of your time in Branscombe. Looks and sounded wonderful, from the buildings to the beaches, from the dinners to the cosy fires, in spite of the muddy Wellies!

I, for one, certainly don't disagree with you about riding in the rain and battling fierce winds. No fun at all. For my part, I really only had to put up with fog, quite chilly at times, but not really unpleasant. Yes, we have been home since this past Monday.

Spent a lazy day inside, yesterday. Cora Lee was away at 9:00 am and not back until after 8:00 pm, volunteer meetings, etc. My toe seemed to feel better as day progressed and treatments continued. Swelling had gone done this morning when I got out of bed. Can walk much more normally, without discomfort, so trust I'm on the mend. Cora Lee went to Costco with her parents at 10:00 am so I plan to give my Trek a good cleaning shortly and then, if rain has let up, as forecast suggests it will, I plan to take a quick run on my Brodie to do a few errands and test out my Achilles toe!

New Spanish Cinema Week

Chloë continues to work seven days a week but she seems to be holding up pretty well. Had a very pleasant visit with her over the course of the evening of her Grandmother's birthday party so it was good to see her again. (I was away for almost three weeks.) I think she is thinking about leaving the brewery after we return from Nicole's wedding in Mexico at the beginning of May.

Delighted to hear you will be back in September! So much for your famous last words! We will be in Falcon Lake for most of August to celebrate Clara's/Dusty's 69th wedding anniversary but I assume we'll be back by the 12th. You are welcome to stay here.

At the moment we only have an inflatable, yet comfortable, mattress in spare room. However, I think The Annexe will be free so you can probably have your own private suite! Something you've obviously become accustomed to over the course of your last high end getaway!Time to get out the chain-cleaner, (and I don't mean the alcoholic kind!), so must away. Fondestos to Gayle and greetings to fellow Cornwallians. Cheers, Patrizzio!

Pat, I suspect I am not the first who suggests that you see a physician ?  I hope you will so do in the near future, especially if the pain and swelling persist. Getting broken bones set properly quickly can make a big difference in the end result. Please do consider this bold act.....Cactus

Hi Cactus!

Thank you for your solicitous concern. Very touching and spot on. However!!! I really don't think I have broken anything. Perhaps, as I mentioned, a slight, hairline fracture, but I doubt even that. If the toe had worsened overnight, believe me I would have called for an appointment/X-ray. Will take two aspirins and call you in the morning, Dottore! Cheers, Patrizzio! 

Hi Barb! Thanks for pictures. Once again, lovely to meet everyone. We waved goodbye to Parksville on Monday morning.  Cheers, Patrizzio!

Hi Whirlissimo!

No matter how you pronounce it, I spent a very lazy day today, much of it reading Alex! Think I'll have it finished tonight, so gripping a tale it is.

Any thoughts on riding tomorrow? My toe feels much better and although I didn't venture out, I want to give it a try, one way or another, domani. Lt me know your thoughts unless you are too, too busy lollygagging! Cheers, Il Conduttore!